Newbie weekly achievement thread

[hebe]

Well, the freezing fog didn't appear today, just the freezing bit, so dh took dd and I got out for a 6mile ride on my mountain bike! It was very muddy, it amazes me how the same ride changes with the state of the ground. Quite busy today, there were lots of recreational vehicules out which made it harder work. My asthma is pretty bad after an extended spell of feeling under the weather, so I had to walk both my nemesis hills. My top speed was just under 12mph, when I picked up speed on a shingly downhill stretch. I then hit a muddy patch wrong at the bottom and came off Lots of work to do and things to learn.

Here a few pics of where I went, one showing my muddy mud tyres, and one of my view when I looked down.

[Kerry1976]

Today I went to try my first spinervals workout on the trainer and realized my back tire was flat. I found the culprit immediately - a shard of glass I ran over when practicing clipping in and out on my 2 miler in the parking lots a few days ago.

Well, fortunately, I had a flat tire needing changed right in the comfort of my living room. I pulled out the spare tube, the tire levers, a pump and my computer (so I could follow how-to videos). I first learned how to take the back tire off. Then I changed the tire. Should note that changing the tire took FOREVER. However, I know how to do it and won't EVER forget how now.

After all that, I wasn't about to let that stop me from my workout. And so far, the tire appears to be holding air. So, I'll consider it a victory!

[Kerry1976]

Nice ride, Hebe. Fighting asthma, mud, cold and a fall - you are TOUGH!

[mudmucker]

Hebe, keep showing pictures of your rides. It's been fun watching. Love to see people's rides in places other than New England and USA.

[Bike Writer]

cyclinginmd - Welcome!

Boy there are lots of great rides continuing to go on, thanks for the photos hebe. You have the "right stuff" for cycling.

I have no accomplishment to announce. There was a small window of opportunity with a very warm day (47 around these parts in the winter is very warm) but it rained quite hard for most of that. I had a one hour rain free period in there but my bike is still in the shop. Boo.

[FunSize]

Since i now work in retail with my new glorious job of answering phones at a best buy there wasn't a whole lot of riding for the past 2 and a half months. Which made me very sad, since i like being active.

I did however go out for a ride on my day off. It was almost 60 degrees outside! My bf had bought be a nice long-sleeve craft jersey for Christmas with wind blocking panels so i was excited to try it on and use it. Even though I hadn't been on my bike much (twice on my trainer before this outing) I felt pretty good. Though i was not very fast, avg 13 mph.

The only interesting thing that happened on my ride was that I got into a higher gear to sprint past 3 slow going guys... narrowly missing the oncoming path goers. (it was clear when i decided to pass). I weaved to the right and back left to pass another guy on a bike who, even though I yelled out to him, tried to pass the same person on the right. So, because he didn't see me he almost sideswiped me! So... i guess i just felt proud that I didn't lose control of my bike! Didn't even wobble!

I feel a little guilty about being reckless on the bike path, but... hey... i didn't hit anyone!

[hebe]

Congratulations on the new job, Funsize, there's not much out there at the moment. How lovely to get out on your day off, and well done on the wobble-free passing! I'd love to have an average speed of 13mph, but don't think that will happen on any of the off-road rides I do at the moment.

Kerry, great stuff on a solo tyre change, did you repair the puncture or replace the tube? I think this has to be one of my nursery-morning tasks, especially now that I can learn on the comfort bike.

BikeWriter, at least your bike is in the shop during the worst of the weather. After January, February is a nice short month and then March is almost spring (not that I'm wishing away the year at all!)

Thanks everyone for all the lovely comments. My asthma seems a bit better today so I think the exercise helped. I just love off-road riding, it gives me time on my own and a mind completely cleared of errands, family stuff and so on. I'm feeling it a bit today in the very tops of my arms and my quads, but thankfully the new saddle seems to be a huge improvement. It's been snowing again this morning so I'm very happy I got out yesterday.